Shafaqna English– Hojjatul-Islam Salar believes that today we live in a special era, one in which oppression, domination, and authoritarianism have intensified. Despite this, in many cities across the world, even among people who adhere to no religion at all, concepts such as justice and truth are well understood.
In these circumstances, although governments often oppose justice-seeking movements, ordinary people—unlike their rulers—are truth-seekers who desire justice and accept it. Therefore, if we can present the pure culture of Ahlul-Bayt (AS) in a way compatible with the language and logic of such societies, it can certainly have a deep and lasting impact. The Methods of the Imams (AS) varied with time, place, and circumstance.
Salar, in an interview with Shafaqna, explained the situation during the era of Imam Hassan Al-Askari (AS). He noted that at that time, political restrictions and pressures from the Abbasid caliphs had reached their peak. Meetings and communications between the Imam (AS) and Shia followers were under intense surveillance, and it was extremely difficult for people to have direct access to him. For a period, even visits to the Imam’s (AS) home were not possible.
According to some reports, followers could only meet him on Mondays and Thursdays along the route where the Imam passed from his home to the Abbasid court. Because of this severe oppression, Imam Askari (AS), in order to protect his followers, often communicated through letters, messages, and trusted representatives (Wakils). He even warned his special agents not to greet him openly in public, or even gesture to him, since their lives would be endangered.
Imam Askari (AS) Never Stopped Struggling Against the Tyrannical Regimes of His Time
During his short six-year Imamate, Imam Askari (AS) lived under three Abbasid caliphs: Al-Mu‘tazz, Al-Muhtadi, and Al-Mu‘tamid. Despite the harsh political climate, he never ceased his political resistance and efforts to raise awareness among the people.
The Abbasid regime placed the Imam under house arrest in the military garrison of Samarra, prohibiting him from leaving the city and cutting off communication with his followers. In fact, Caliph Al-Mu‘tazz once ordered the Imam’s arrest and transfer to Kufa, with instructions to kill him along the way. However, within three days the caliph himself was killed, and the plot failed.
One major reason for such hostility was the rapid growth of the Shia population, especially in Iran (Nishapur, Rayy, Qom) and in Iraq (Kufa, Baghdad, Samarra, Basra, Mada’in). Qom, in particular, had become a strong center for the teaching and spread of Shia jurisprudence and hadith. The presence of large Shia communities extended as far as Yemen and beyond, which reflected the vast reach of the Shia school during Imam Askari’s (AS) lifetime.
Imam Askari’s (AS) Strategic Measures
One of Imam’s most important actions was building a secret network of communication and organization among his followers worldwide. Through wise leadership, he ensured that Shia communities remained connected yet hidden from Abbasid detection. The Imam consistently emphasized secrecy to protect his followers from persecution.
Another crucial aspect was the Imam’s role as the father of Imam Mahdi (AJ), the awaited savior prophesied to rise against tyranny and establish global justice. The Abbasids were well aware of these narrations and feared his birth, so they kept Imam Askari (AS) under strict surveillance to prevent it. Despite their plots, Imam Mahdi (AJ) was born, and the Abbasids failed in their efforts.
Preparing the Shia Community for the Occultation
Finally, Askari (AS) dedicated significant effort to preparing his followers for the coming Occultation (Ghaybah) of his son, Imam Mahdi (AJ). Under intense persecution, imprisonment, and surveillance, the Imam bore the heavy responsibility of gradually readying the Shia community for this pivotal transition in Islamic history.